Truth in taxation decision brings 18 percent property tax increase

About 20 residents gave comment at the Truth in Taxation meeting at West Jordan City Hall. (Erin Dixon/City Journals)

By Erin Dixon | erin@mycityjournals.com

On
Aug. 18, the West Jordan City Council approved an 18 percent property tax
increase.

The
last property tax increase in West Jordan City was in 2012. Before that was
1988—one tax increase in 30 years. The population has grown from 47,800
residents to 114,000 in that 30-year period.

The
money from the property tax goes to several places. The majority goes to school
districts and Salt Lake County. David Brickey, city manager, outlined the
details of the proposal to the council and public at the Truth in Taxation
meeting Aug. 18.

“[These]
dollars do not necessarily end up in the city. The city gets 15 cents for every
dollar collected,” Brickey said. “The city would end up with 18 cents of that
dollar [with this increase].”

Increased
population means more residents to collect tax from, but the income for the
city is still insufficient to meet the needs of the expanding community. With
an average 2.7 percent inflation each year since 1988, $1,000 does not buy as
much it did 30 years ago. The same $1,000 now covers only $476 in goods and
services. Inflation affects salaries, health insurance and materials for
building and repairs.

Public comments

The
proposed tax increase was for 20 percent more than the current tax rate. The
council chamber was full of residents with polarizing opinions. Some were in
favor of the increase with no hesitation. Others were desperate to keep the
rate the same.

Jeff Black,
a husband, father and 12-year resident of West Jordan said his employer won’t
raise his salary just because the city raises taxes.

“My
income is not going to increase,” he said. “Please do not pass this increase.
Do your best and leave things as they are.”

Jamie Bevilhymer said that her income is a fixed $14,000 per year and was not in
favor of the increase.

“Citizens
are made to believe they have no choice,” Bevilhymer said. “I wonder if in all
your doings you can in your heart and soul say that you don’t waste, abuse or
misspend. I am sure you will find the money somewhere else. It has been done
before."

Colleen
Laird asked the council to look again at the budget to cut out unnecessary
spending.

“I
would suggest you look at all the wants and the needs,” Laird said. “Clearly,
fire and police are needs. What are the wants?”

Jake
Thomas was in favor of the increase.

“Sometimes
with police, seconds count for public safety,” he said. “It is your
responsibility to protect all the citizens.”

“We’ve
had the most calls in the valley,” he said. “We are all in favor of this. This
is not raises for us. We have domestic violence, we have rapes, we have
priority calls. It takes us three or four hours to get to the lower priority
calls. Let us recruit and retain the officers. Please help us out.”

In
total, there were nine resident comments in favor of the increase—nine opposed
and two that were fence-sitters.

Councilmember comments

Mayor
Jim Riding addressed a concern that was brought up several times during the
public comments: cutting unnecessary spending.

“I put
budgets together for this city for years,” he said. “Working through those
budgets, I never felt we had any fluff.”

Councilmember
Chris McConnehey was in favor of the 20 percent proposed increase but was hesitant
because he said he understood the impact it would have on some residents.

“I
really don’t like being in this position,” he said. “You’re here to represent
your neighbors, and this is something that is very divisive and emotional for
everyone. Call volumes jumped by 97 percent since 2015. As much as I don’t like
it, I would support the 20 percent changes.”

Councilmember
Chad Lamb also addressed the question of cutting out current spending.

“I
don’t think these are wants,” he said. “We need more than five [officers]; we
need 10. We need more than 10. I wish we could fund 20. I’m all for looking
ways to cut, but really, we are short on services on most areas in the city. As
you listen to us talk, remember we are citizens of the city as well.”

Councilmember
Zach Jacob was not convinced that the 20 percent was necessary.

“Nothing
is an urgent need,” he said. “No one’s house is burning down today because we
don’t have fire. The bottom line for me is that we need to look at the fund
balance.”

Councilmember
Kayleen Whitelock was the first to propose a reduced 18 percent increase.

“While
you are in these seats, you make tough decisions,” she said. “While you are in
those seats, you’re thinking something different. Most people are in favor of
crossing guards, police and fire. My motion mayor is that we increase taxes by
18 percent.”

There
are aids available for those who are financially unable to meet the new tax
increase. Please see (article written about tax aid
referenced here please, with page reference for print and URL for digital)
for more information.

City needs more businesses for tax
revenue

Another
factor for the need for increase in property tax is that most of West Jordan is
residential space. Other cities such as West Valley and Sandy have large
commercial zones that help offset the costs for the residents. Currently, West
Jordan residents spend more outside the city than they do inside.

Brickey
also gave suggestions to residents to bring more money to the city.

“It
might sound strange, but tell your representative that you want a liquor store,”
he said. “That could bring in $1 million to $2 million per year. Tell them, ‘I
don’t want to shop there, but I want it in my city.’”

Scott
Langford, community development director, also gave details about improvements
to Jordan Landing that could attract more business and income for the city.

“Just
tonight at another meeting, my staff approved some additional signage [for
Jordan Landing],” he said. “[The developer has plans] to revamp and refresh to
infuse more life into Jordan Landing.”